IF WE WON ... IT WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN DESERVED Wilkie blasts Airdrie’s performance against Stenny Ladbrokes League One

Airdrieonians ....... 0 Stenhousemuir .... 1

Andrew Bargh Kyle Wilkie believes his late goal against Stenhousemuir should have stood, but admitted Airdrie didn’t deserve to win in Ian Murray’s first outing in the Diamonds dugout.

The central midfielder came off the bench and nodded home to break the deadlock with only 10 minutes remaining.

But his celebration was cut short when the linesman immediately flagged for offside, despite highlights showing Wilkie had managed to keep himself on the right side of Stenny’s last man.

A disappointed Wilkie said: “I thought I’d managed to keep my line.

“I came on to try and make something happen but it was just one of those moments in the end.

“We probably didn’t deserve to win, really. A draw would have been a fair result.

“Late goals are the worst but hopefully we can build on the manager’s new ideas in training and put it right.”

Wilkie’s effort on goal was a rare foray into opposition territory from Airdrie.

In fact, their first sight of goal wasn’t until the half- hour mark when Dale Carrick met Ryan Conroy’s drive.

But the unmarked forward headed over the bar from around eight yards out.

Stenhousemuir responded by creating their own opening.

Winger Alan Cook linked up with Mark McGuigan before evading Sean Crighton on the edge of the box.

He attempted to lob the onrushing David Hutton, but his effort dropped on the wrong side of the bar.

Airdrie had two chances to break the deadlock just before half-time.

Kieran McDonald’s excellent delivery through the corridor of uncertainty wasn’t anticipated quickly enough by Carrick who failed to capitalise on defensive uncertainty.

From the resulting corner, Crighton’s superb leap and header forced a stunning reflex save from Graeme Smith in the Stenny goal.

Carrick worked hard in the final third and created an opportunity for Darryl Duffy, but the ball was nipped away from his feet as he prepared to shoot from 12 yards out.

Goalmouth incidents were few and far between as the game progressed, but with 15 minutes to go two moments of sheer quality saw the deadlock nearly broken.

Cook found space on the right flank and cut in onto his favoured left foot.

He struck a swerving, dipping shot towards that looked destined to nestle in the far corner of the net.

But Hutton extended an arm and managed to tip the ball round the post to prevent his team falling behind.

In a scrappy game, it was a rare moment of impressive play from either side.

Wilkie’s goal was ruled out much to the despair of the Diamonds support, and their frustration turned to anger when Stenny’s Sean Dickson cynically tripped Joao Victoria as the talismanic attacker broke free from the centre of the park.

Dickson accepted his booking as his teammates thanked him for thwarting the counter attack.

Stenhousemuir stole the game with under five minutes to go thanks to a combination of statuesque Airdrie defending and quick thinking from McGuigan.

The Stenny forward reacted to a knockdown when three Airdrie defenders missed the ball and drove the ball into the near corner of the net for the three points.

Airdrie’s next game is at home to Forfar this weekend. PTS 27 20 19 15 13 13 12 12 11 11

Net loser Wilkie’s goal for against Stenhousemuir is ruled out for offside